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🌙 POST-APOLLO

Skylab

SPACE STATION
1973–1979ACTIVE PERIOD
NASAAGENCY
4FLIGHTS
100%SUCCESS RATE
United StatesCOUNTRY
ABOUT SKYLAB

Skylab was America’s first space station, constructed from a converted Saturn V third stage and operated from 1973 to 1979. Three crews spent a total of 171 days aboard, conducting solar astronomy, Earth observation, and biomedical experiments. A critical early repair EVA fixed damaged thermal and solar panel systems, demonstrating in-space repair capability.

NOTABLE MISSIONS
🚀 Skylab 2 u2013 Emergency repair EVA
🚀 Skylab 3 u2013 59 days
🚀 Skylab 4 u2013 84 days record
LEGACY & LASTING IMPACT
First US space station, proved long-duration habitation, pioneered in-space repair
PROGRAM DETAILS
CategorySpace Station
EraPost-Apollo
AgencyNASA
CountryUnited States
Start Date1973-05-14
End Date1979-07-11
Total Flights4
Success Rate100%
SuccessorInternational Space Station
PROGRAM COST
Original Cost$2.2 billion
Inflation-Adjusted$10 billion (2020)
KEY FIGURES
  • 👤 Pete Conrad
  • 👤 Joe Kerwin
  • 👤 Gerald Carr
TECHNOLOGIES DEVELOPED
  • ⚙ Apollo Telescope Mount
  • ⚙ S-IVB workshop conversion
  • ⚙ Parasol thermal repair

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